Kenneth A. McLeod

Kenneth A. McLeod, Jr. of Hancock, New Hampshire died September 8, 2007 at the age of 88 at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.Born in Peterborough, New Hampshire on Nov. 19, 1918, he was the son of the late Kenneth A. and Bertha (Bryer) McLeod. In 1948 he married his wife of 58 years, Marguerite B. Reynolds, also of Peterborough. In 1936 he graduated from Peterborough High School where he was on the New Hampshire State Basketball Championship team with an undefeated record of 20-0 which was recognized in 1986 as the areas greatest ever basketball team. He went on to play basketball at the University of New Hampshire and after graduation from UNH was employed by Liberty Mutual Insurance.He enlisted in the US Navy in Feb. 1942. He flew Dive Bombers (SB2C), F-4 U fighter planes and missions to Tokyo in Corsairs off the USS Essex in the Pacific. He participated in the liberation of the Philippines, the Asiatic Pacific 1 Star and the American Theatre, earning two Presidential Unit Citations. As squadron leader, he earned the rank of Lieutenant, with eight Air Medals for combat flights and four Distinguished Flying Crosses.Mr. McLeod purchased Norway Hill Orchard in Hancock in 1945. After release from active duty in January 1946, he was a self-employed apple grower in Milford, NH. He was President of McLeod Brothers Orchards in Milford until 1978 when he and Marguerite moved to Hancock after building a home in the Norway Hill Orchard. He was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Merrimack Farmers Exchange for many years, was a member of the Governors Agricultural Council, the NY - NE Apple Council, and President of the NH Fruit Growers Association, in addition to a life-time of contributing to the UCC Congregational Churches in Milford, then Hancock, where he was currently a member. He served on the Fire Station Building Committee and other committees in Hancock.Mr. and Mrs. McLeod operated Norway Hill Orchard overlooking Monadnock Mountain, offering Pick-Your-Own apples since 1978. He taught hundreds of children from schools and groups in N.H. and Mass. how apples develop and grow, and offered them tractor-trailer rides at no charge for over 25 years.He will be remembered for his kindness, wit and humility, and will be sadly missed by his wife and daughters: Sharron Wilkins and husband Stephen of Mont Vernon, NH, and Nadene McLeod and husband John Moir of Piopolis, Quebec and Carrabassett, ME; Grandsons: Kevin Wilkins and wife Allyson of Amherst, NH and Kenneth M. Moir of Piopolis, Quebec and Carrabassett, ME; Great Grandchildren: Caleb & Violet Wilkins of Amherst, NH as well as other family members, many friends, and long-time patrons of the orchard.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 98, Hancock, NH 03449 or to the Monadnock Community Hospital, 454 Old Street Road, Peterborough, NH 03458.

At Mr. McLeods request, there will be no calling hour

A Memorial Service will be held at the First Congregational Church in Hancock on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 2:00 PM. Rev. George Higgins will officiate. Burial will follow at the Hillside Cemetery in Hancock.